Flex Talk #15
 

Here's a place where we can discuss Flex and WW, as well as issues of our everyday lives. New Flexers are always welcome, so please join in, to give and get support and encouragement on your weight loss journey.

Flexers that attend meetings, At-Home Flexers, and anyone just curious about Flex are all welcome here.


If anyone needs the old thread, it can be found here:
http://3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150783

I am sorry for being MIA ladies - I have popped in and out and have been reading but little time to post updates of my own. From the old thread, just want to say I loved the photo from nessa, you looked thrilled!

I realized the other day that I've been slacking a lot lately at work, and it's not being fair to the company. I do like my job most of the time, and my satisfaction levels with it are directly related to how much of myself I devote to it each day, and so I am here less and less! It'll come and go in waves though and I am by no means leaving. :)

So, guess who's been wearing a size 14 blazer to work in these chilly mornings we've been having? I was very surprised at that revelation - I could have sworn it was a 16. I started out as an 18+ on top so... woohoo! :D It's also nice to know that the size gap between my top and bottom are evening out.

Had a couple of great nights out this week - my friend from college is a musician who has been finding a pretty good amount of success lately came and played a show in town on Tuesday. She was absolutely brilliant. Surprised the pants off her when I showed up afterwards (you have to remember we went to college together 800 miles away, in Canada). I am just so happy for her! If anyone is curious her name is Basia Bulat and she has some samples on her myspace, or if you want to see something on youtube "In the Night" is a good one to look up. I highly recommend. She is amazing. Then last night DH and I showed our true nerd colors and got together for a rousing game of Settlers of Catan with friends. :D

Eating has been OP, but I am really, really struggling with getting back on the exercise bandwagon! It's such a shame too because I know how much it helps my losses out.

And, finally, my sister remains pregnant. I literally take the phone with me to the bathroom, I am expecting her to call any minute saying she's in labor!

Hope everyone is well! :wave:

Here is my obligatory "hi I'm new and I exist!" post. So...hello fellow flexers!

I would just like to say I love that photo you posted nessa...your face says it all! I'm looking forward to feeling the way you look when I finally go down a size.

Another newbie here. :D I've done South Beach before several years ago with quite a bit of luck, but found it harder after kids when I couldn't have dairy, along with my portion control problem. This is my first time on WW, I'm really excited to be starting!

Side Note: If anyone is interested in having a sort of "online meeting" or wants to know what the weekly discussion was about, or has anything to contribute, head on over here: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151842

Suite - So happy to see you're around :) Congrats on the size 14!!! Yay!

Mandos - :welcome: We all exist, too ^_^ So feel free to keep posting and tell us about you & your progress!

Kestrel - :welcome: to the WW plan :) Following Flex or Core? Let us know if you have any questions! And keep us updated.

I will join in and say Hi as well :) Been around a few weeks but never really an introduction etc. I enjoy all the posts and enthusiasm!

Hi Ladyscorpio! :) :welcome2: The more the merrier!

Thanks so much Faerie!

Good Morning Everyone!

I got to the gym at 6AM today :tired: But I NEEDED to get my exercise done, and I'm going to a wedding reception tonight so I can't do it after work. Kind of amazing what we can make ourselves do when we really want to get it done somehow. Let me just say I'm NOT a morning work out person, but again... this needed to be done.

But, I forgot my regular bra! :lol: So I have to be at work today wearing my sports bra. At least it's casual day... ;)

I think I'll get myself some coffee.

Have a great day ladies!

:grouphug:

Hi Everyone. I am new to weight watchers. I joined on September 9 and my first weigh in yielded a loss of 4.8 pounds!:carrot: I am nursing, so I get more points..my friend (not doing ww) told me I am not going to last once I don't get those xtra nursing points. I would like to prove her wrong; heh. ;) I am actually struggling with using up all of my points during the day so I don't have too many to use up at the end of the day right now. I have been searching the archives for higher point menu ideas (yet healthy). I am getting the hang of it but I love 3FC's website.

Hi Snoopysgirl :) Welcome to the Flex Talk area! You most certainly can keep going after you stop nursing. I would be very upset with a friend who told me I wouldn't make it. It says more about her than it does you. And you will prove her wrong.

:welcome2: to all our new Flexers!

Well I went to the gym Tuesday night (yay! woohoo!) and totally bailed last night. Although, the reason was because I was having some super uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. At least I will be hiking all weekend in Vermont! Yay for burning calories :) I've gained 4 pounds now. I don't want to gain any more this trimester, so I'm going to have to start watching what I'm eating more than what I've been.

I've been reading posts, just not posting a lot. I feel like I don't really fit in as much with the whole HAVING to gain weight/maintain thing and not losing :lol:

mandos - welcome! make yourself at home.

kestrel - Good luck with WW, I hope you find success! Did you develop a dairy allergy after pregnancy? (I've never heard of that, I am curious!)

Faerie - Going to your meetings thread will basically be a spoiler for me :p since I don't attend until Saturdays. If discussion is still going strong by the end of the week I'll pop in :) And girl, 6am gym time? :eek: Have fun at the wedding!

ladyscorpio - hello! Jump on in!

snoopysgirl - Welcome! Don't listen to your friend, what a terrible thing to tell someone! We are all here obviously succeeding with non-nursing levels of points, you will be FINE. It will take some adjustment but don't you even worry about that right now.

mod - :wave: Have fun in Vermont!


Well, I went for my run last night. Not too long, just over 2 miles, but it was something. We've been on the treadmills in our building the past couple times, which is new - usually we run outside. Silly DH gets on his, sets the incline really high and the speed as high as he can stand it, then wears himself out after 20 minutes. :lol: Then he stands around waiting for me to be done (me who does intervals of fast walking and jogging to build up endurance), which makes me feel pressured to leave early - I told him afterwards last night that he needs to just go home if that happens again, I want to stay longer!

In other news, I've applied for a research assistant position with a professor in the music department who specializes in Italian Renaissance music. How neat is that? I'd basically be working with both Italian and English texts, doing some research, some bibliography work, and some xeroxing :p for about 10 hours/week. I am really excited about it as I sorely miss being involved with Italian. However, the job is not in hand yet, so we shall wait and see. She sounds very interested in having me work for her but I have to hear back from her about scheduling - the fact that I am not available during business hours (as I work full-time already) might throw a wrench in the whole thing. We shall see. Fingers crossed!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday, any weekend plans?

But Mod! You're pregnant :) Knowing you have to gain is part of the process. And I know we all want to hear about the progress ^_^

How to put this... I know this is a weight loss site, but I end up coming in here thinking "And how are my buddies doing today?" Not just about everyone's weight, but about life in general.

So, your life in general is that you need to gain weight in order to have this wonderful, healthy baby :) And when you wanna share that with us, well... at least, I say that I'd like to hear about it.

Oh no, Suite! Ha ha! I should've added a Spoiler Alert to the headline! ;) It's up there for anyone, and I know some of us don't contribute to our meetings in-person because we don't want to talk a lot or anything, so this gives us all an opportunity to share our full thoughts. And if you wanna add anything on Saturday... go ahead! I'm going to be reading and taking them all to heart. I'll be posting a new one each week after I get to meeting.

That's why I can't go to the gym with anyone... :/ It always makes me feel hurried.

That is super-awesome-cool. Fingers are crossed for you!

Going up to select food choices for the wedding & family dinner. Going to find a florist for said wedding. Then probably going to dinner with the fiancee's father. Also, going to continue to unpack, move furniture around and other new apartment things. :)

hi everyone.... thanks for bearing with me...

welcome to the new girls... nice group here i'm pretty new myself


bad food day yesterday but maybe that's because i had to put Bagel (my 8yr old newf mix) down yesterday.

so i'm sad.

I'm so sorry, Nessa. :( :hug: :hug: :hug:

Oh nessa, I am sorry to hear that. :hug:

Good Morning,

I have been sleeping soooooo much lately, can't really figure it out! Last night I got about 11 hours, and could totally sleep more.

Well, anyhoo...

Jaime -- good to see you back, even if we see you less. And glad to hear about that blazer -- I had the opposite experience once, a long time ago, wearing a pair of jeans that I thought were a size 6 only to find later that they were a 10! I was so proud of myself all day, though, so it was still good.

Faerie -- whoa, way to get that exercise in!! You're an inspiration!!

Mandos, Kestrel and Ladyscorpio -- :welcome2:

Mod -- I'm with Faerie. Please keep posting -- I want to know how things are going for you with the pregnancy!!

I have had a good couple of days, woke up this morning (barely) after strange strange dreams, and just ate two bowls of cereal for breakfast. Not sure why I ate the second one, except to say that I really, really wanted it. I hope it doesn't lead to bad things all day -- I kind of doubt it will, since I'll be pretty busy once I get going (though I just want to go back to sleep!).

Does anyone here meditate daily? I started to, and I'm sort of wondering if it's contributing to these changing sleep patterns...

S

Nessa -- we were posting at the same time, I guess. I'm so sorry to hear about Bagel. That is so hard. :hug: :hug:

Good morning everyone!

I'm not allergic to dairy, but my daughter that I'm nursing can't tolerate dairy or soy so I've eliminated those from my diet. My first two were sensitive also so it wasn't really a surprise, just inconvenient.

My middle child (2 years) woke up 2 hours early today. Normally I would have already sucked down 2-3 cans of Coke by now to wake up, but I'm sipping my iced tea instead. Small steps, small victories. :)

Nessa, I'm sorry you had to put your dog down. :(

Nessa I am so so sorry to hear about poor Bagel. :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

WOO HOO about the gym and :o about the bra - have a great time this evening!

You will do great!:carrot:

Congrats on the pregnancy and love love love Vermont! I got married there outside of a little country chruch :D

YEAH about the run and very cool about the job prospect - that sounds fantastic!

Nessa - I am so sorry - I saw your post yesterday :hug:

Doing good OP - love WW and thank goodness I found my way back a few weeks ago and found you guys! We got a puppy last Friday (after many years without) so he is keeping us on our toes! :)

Waving Hi to Shinking, Kestrel and Courtnie and anyone I missed!

Have a great day everyone!

Nessa-- I just wanted to send lots of :hug: to you; I am sorry for your loss.:(

I am reading and trying to soak in everyone's collective wisdom. I am usually NAK so I can't always respond as much as I would like. I hope everyone has a great, on-plan weekend.

thanks everyone.

i am trying very hard to be grain free and fruit free today... to get my out of control eating under control

I ate at TGI Friday's for lunch had the key west shrimp... Daily plate calls it at 4 points... anyone have any input on it?

Nessa-no input on the key lime shrimp. Sounds yum..how did it taste?


Soooo I have been trying the diet/menu accountability and I swear, I feel like such a pig posting my daily menu. I have to use all my points but I feel like I am stuffed a lot of the time. I don't want to go below my points because I have been reading that you should use all your daily points PLUS as many flex points as you want because the points that are left on maintenance are the ones you will have FOREVER. (insert ominous music). I know 41 is a lot, but once I stop loosing, that is 31..and then minus a point for each 10 pounds lost.. which I calculate could put me at 24 or less points once I reach goal. I am afraid that if I eat less points (due to not being as hungry) I will end up only getting like 20 points for the rest of my life, LOL .

I hardly used any flex points last week and lost 4.8 pounds, so I am trying to use more flex points this week and to see what the scale will say. I would love to lose super quick but I dont want to be dumping toxins into my breastmilk since my little one still nurses a lot throughout the day and night.

Any tips or suggestions for me? When I came in from mowing I had missed my snack (I am trying to divide my points somewhat evenly throughout the day so I don't have tons left at night to use..want to get out of that nighttime binge mindset) I ended up having a tall glass of juice for some quick points and a fiber bar (for the fiber!). I really would like to do core, but I know I would probably lose way too fast that way. I tried a diet similar to core about 5 years ago when I was having gallbladder issues and went from 230 to 163 in about 3-4 months. (I ended up gaining it all back after pregnancy and reverting back to unhealthy ways---one thing I like about flex points is that it has a lot of variety and I can still eat a serving of combos if I want, for example, and not beat myself up about it).

What are some of your nutrient dense/higher point type favorites? Nut butters? Cheeses? I could eat a few pieces of chocolate for some points, but I would rather make it a bit healthier.

Thanks for any ideas.

*waves from the network server room*

UGGGG... been working 65+ hours a week here. Darn lightning - our network is finally up though.. <sigh> It has been a rough couple of weeks for me. Not eating all my points - forget the healthy guidelines... what is that clear liquid called that we are supposed to drink so much of every day?

I am so far behind with the normal stuff it is going to take another couple of week at 60+ hours each to get caught up. I am going in this weekend (again x5 weekends so far) to try and get more caught up so I don't have to be a maniac during the week. So far I have been losing, but not in a healthy nutritious way...and my body is feeling it I tell ya.

Gonna have to get back on track.

((((Nessa))))) sorry to hear about your Bagel. That is so rough. Been there myself.

Don't have much time for more personals, I am going to bed. I am gonna try and sleep in and then go into work.

Nessa: So sorry about your dog. There isn't much that I can think to write to make you feel better, otherwise I would

Shrinking: Yeah my job is confusing. Basically I am a telephone interviewer for a social research company, and they are in between surveys right now. So I am technically still employed as a telephone interviewer, but we don't have a survey to work on right now, so I haven't worked there in about 3 months. But they are supposed to be promoting me to a supervisor and research assistant so I am just waiting for that promotion. If they don't promote me, I will quit because telephone interviewing is really lame.

Snoopygirl: any nuts are healthy and have a lot of points, also avocado is 2 points for 1/4 and it is really yummy and nutritious! That is a really easy 2 points as you don't have to eat very much, and nuts are 4 points for not that many as well

Chey: 65 hours in one week! wow! That's a lot! I bet you'll have a lot of money come payday though!

~well, today I worked out for the first time in about 2 months! I didn't do a whole lot. My friend and I walked 1.4 miles to the park and back, and we also did some laps at the park which were probably about 1.2 miles. My heartbeat did get up and I sweated a little, but it wasn't a major workout. I just wanted to get some movement in as my body has been feeling SO crappy lately from the lack of exercise.

Has anyone ever made baked apple slices? They are so good, and a great low point desert. I also just recently looked up a recipe for baked onion rings that I REALLY want to try. Yum!

good morning gals,

snoopysgirl the shrimp was good and spicy. i got an extra side of steamed broccoli... it was good. it was a lot of shrimp i can't believe it was only 4 points...


chey i'm sorry you are working so much...

thanks everyone for the moral support. it' helped truly. now if only my other dog understood...

Just a quick check in before I have to head into work...

Vday - unfortunatly I am salaried. No extra $$$ for me for the additional hours over 40 I work. :( I always say there is a fine line between dedication and stupidity. I have 1 foot on one side and the other foot on the other side.. :rofl: I sure hope you get that promotion! Good going on the movement - nice walks this time of year are wonderful. Have you seen any change in season with the trees? I love this time of year here in Iowa.

Nessa - I am sorry that I am working so much too.. it will slow down soon I hope - I just need to get through the rest of September and the first part of October and it should get back to normal.

snoopysgirl - I had a difficult time with my points at the beginning. I would always end up with over 1/2 of them left over for supper/night snack. I puchased a can of almonds and pistachios to snack on to get all of my points in. OH.. and Jamie's banana/peanut butter wrap saved me more than once and that is sooooooooo good! :)

I haven't read much more than this last page and I have to go to work. I will try to catch up with everyone later! Have an awesome day chicks!

Hey girls,

Well, I drank last night (big surprise). Not a TON -- 2 gin and tonics and 2 glasses of wine...then I came home and ate a bowl of cereal and some saltines. But THEN, this morning, I stepped on the scale and it said 129!! So, I believe that the dehydration could be playing a part in this, but still, that made me feel really happy and is motivating me to get some exercise in today. A walk, I think, followed by an exercise video. I would love to get a real 129 on Monday -- into the 120s!!

Snoopy -- I wish I had some suggestions for high point and healthy...perhaps olive oil? High fiber bread dipped in olive oil? I remember Jaime using this as a way to get her healthy oils in. As for only having 20 points a day, it's doable! Challenging, but doable. But I think you're smart to go about this slowly. It seems like you're approaching WL with a good head on your shoulders!

Chey -- yikes, works sounds like a nightmare! But wow, I was just looking at your sig -- you are doing so well with the WL!! I hope these few weeks don't throw you off too much. Good luck!

VDay -- Ah, I see. Well good luck with that promotion! And I love the new pic -- you look gorgeous!

Scorpio -- glad you found us, too! :wave:

Nessa -- good for you to be OP while eating out. That is one of my biggest challenges.

Jaime -- exciting about the job prospect! You are inspiring me to look for real work (I've picked up a waitressing shift at a local bar, decent money but ugggggghhhhhhh).

Faerie -- hi!

OK. I want to itch my eye right out of my head. Gah. But the scale was in the 120s this morning, and I'm going for a walk in this nice autumny air. Have a good day, all!

S

Oof. I just added up my points from yesterday -- 52! Ugh. I'm over my FPs for the week. But good for me for writing it all down anyway, right?? I almost didn't do it...

yes it's good for you to write them down and be honest about it.

Hi Ladies !!

I am doing Flex. On my own. No meetings available in my area on days I have off. =( Oh well, I am keeping track of my points. So far so good. Today I had a grilled chicken club from Hardee's. EEEEK !!! I thought it would be high in points, but I can splurge once in a while.....but dang...30 gms of fat. I feel like I could have had a tub of butter for that amount of fat. sheesh.

I know on WW we are supposed to get "extra" points for exercise. Can anyone explain that to me? PM if you need to.

I am soooo motivated. Only 2 lbs before the 20lbs lost mark...woot !!! :cheer::goodscale I was looking the the success thread and seeing the pictures and chomping at the bit to get my body into smaller sizes and to be able to SEE a difference.

Have a great weekend all !!

HI all
I am new to this side of the message board. Previously I was over in the WLS for awhile but I have been denied the surgery. In May when I started the WLS process I was not able to walk and thought it would be the last recourse for me. However due to a spinal procedure I had this past week I am able to walk now with one cane and hopefully in another 1-1/2 to 2 weeks I can walk without any canes. :carrot: It is going to take some time as I had been pretty much wheelchair bound for 14 years.

Since I have been denied the WLS and I had such great results with WW in 2005 I figured WW was the way to go again to get off the remaining 150+ pounds. I had lost 90 pounds from 2005 to 2006 and than switched to NS from 2006 to 2007 and lost another 100 pounds but in Nov went off NS (could not afford it any more) and gained back 40 of the original 190 pounds I had lost. Yes you read that correctly. Being on a scooter for all those years, not being able to exercise the way I use to and not watching what I ate cause me to gain a huge amount of weight. So I needed to lose that extra 40 plus an additional 150 pounds. I am not looking at the huge amount but only 25 pounds at a time.

What kind of support is offered here on the boards? are you all accountable to each other and discuss what you plan to eat and had eaten and whether you exercised etc? Being new and alone on this journey I am needing all the support I can find. So hope to hear more about this group and if I will fit in with you all. :D
TTFN
Amanda

Amanda

This group of ladies here are awesome. They can be 'moms', sista friends, and confidants all at one time. I have NEVER been a member of a forum that was this friendly and supportive EVER.

You can come here to cry, scream in frustration and to celebrate (no matter how big or small the celebration) and people will respond! That saying "two heads are better than one" -- well, here there are many brains that will help you figure out stuff. If you have a hard time exercising - there will be someone with an idea for you. Recipes? There are bunches. Tips & Tricks? LOL - lots of those here too.

Mostly - I come here because I have made some pretty damn good virtual friends here. I often think about many of them during the day and wonder how they are doing.

Just jump right in girl... grab a seat and start chatting! :)

luvin2lose! I just noticed that your start and goal weight and height is very similar to mine! :) I am following the flex program on my own (with the help of all the peeps here).. LOL too.

I just want to say to everyone... if you mess up one day, don't beat yourself up about it! I have done it many times, and have just moved on. In fact - I soooooooo wanted that double cheesburger from Hardees last week I just did it. I bit into it and chewed with my eyes closed. and then bit into a french fry... yum. I planned on it though and what I ate - although not very healthy, fit into my points for the day with an extra 5 of my FPs. Then I was mindful the rest of the week. Now, I couldn't have done that the first 2 months of my 'journey' because my willpower wasn't good enough.

I am doing this for the rest of my life. I am watching what I eat, how much I eat and making better choices now and for the rest of my life. If I want that burger, I am going to eat it. What WW has taught me is that one meal isn't going to wreck me because now I know that if I do that more often, I will end up where I was. I feel no guilt - I just deal and go on. :)

Hey there and :welcome2: to all the newbies! This is such a fantastic forum, like Chey says, everyone here is just so kind and caring. Stick around!!

Well, quick report (I've been using up all my posting energy on the TBL forums! Those puppies are BUSY!) -- I binged last night, as I was babysitting and bored and had access to all that kid food that I never keep around (chips, grilled cheese, brownies). It's almost like I'm conditioned to eat junk when I'm at their house. I gotta change that for next time! Anyway, lots of water today, some sort of exercise, and I'm planning on finishing up getting art hung up in my room and finishing unpacking.

Hope everyone has a wonderful sunday!
S

Chevy
Thanks for the welcome. It sounds like a great place here and I hope I can get and give all that you mentioned. Perhaps you or someone can help me with the weight tracker thing. It is funny as I was working on mine yesterday and I also used the heart line even before I saw yours. We think alike. It wasn't appearing yesterday but it is here today. Weird!
Amanda

Lizzy - I have always wanted to start meditating but it seems as though I can't get the time to even begin,

Faerie - Good Idea with online WW meetings. Sometimes I want to talk more than I do. Don't want to seem self-centered. Good job on the MOTIVATION.

Snoopygirl - Welcome and only a jealous kind of friend tells her friend she won't last. You will last you have plenty of support from us.

As with me I have used 20 FP this weekend so starting tomorrow I am done playing. 27 points only. Anyway I will post again tomorrow when I have more time to read and post....